3 weeks post ablation: Just thought an update... - AF Association

Just thought an update might be interesting or helpful to those of you contemplating an AF / Flutter ablation.

I was told that I could have some symptoms for up to 3 months .I have had a few that I'll share with you.

Firstly I've had 4 occasions of what is called a silent migraine with aura. I never have had a migraine before the ablation but since have had this phenomenon of incredibly vivid shimmering light shapes travelling across the eyes, open or closed but without any pain or headache. The first one made me feel quite sick and lasted about 30 mins but since they are reducing in time and sensitivity to the last one which was very mild and lasted only 10 mins. I might be wrong about this but I believe is a rare symptom of the transeptal puncture procedure in the ablation (I did find a study from a U.S university that out of 500 + patients 3 reported this migraine aura. I did check with my G.P. that this was what it was as I was worried about visual disturbance because of my previous stroke.

Secondly I've had very minor bursts of AF / Flutter and ectopic beats which oddly I've found rather comforting because before they were so bad that I'd often end up in hospital and these are so incidental now that I'm sure I probably wouldn't be aware of them if I was a "normal" person" !!!!!!!!!!

At the moment I'm so happy that I have a permanent grin even in this not so perfect summer.

Good Luck to all those having their ablation soon -Thinking of Jean tomorrow who's having hers tomorrow

Sorry Jean I did mean Wednesday. Forgot today was Monday ,thought it was Tuesday therefore tomorrow to my mind was Wednesday -work that out !!! Perhaps I can put forgetfulness down to the ablation as well.

Thanks Tim ,I'm on Cloud 9 at the moment - do hope my bubble is not going to burst anytime soon

I had ablasio n done for afib 2 maths ago. My breathing has Gorton worse sonce! Had cardioversion done yesterday. Things seemed better but today not so good! Its my 2nd cardioversion. I guess I am headed for another ablasio n and possibly 3 days in hospital to try tekosyn. I am really apprehensive about that cause I read on comment that said it was a lifesaver and then read another that said it caused another person to go into cardiac arrest after 2nd dose! As a result they had " to do a duo pacemaker etc. That scares the he'll out of me!! Due to being diagnosed with coronary artery disease. So that do sent leave me with plan B?? Who knew after having my life saved that it would be a constant uphill struggle from here on in with afib!! Very discouraged even though I remind myself that others suffer from worse things!

Hi Fi, I'm glad it seems to be working out. I wouldn't worry about the aural migraines, just lie back and enjoy the psychedlic experience! I had them after my ablation, I think it's due to the anasthesia used. I've heard that at least half of people get it, so it's not that unusual.

Iinteresting to hear that you also had an aural migraines. you are the first person I've heard of having them. I even rang the cardiologist at the hospital who couldn't shed any light ( no pun intended) on what I was experiencing but my GP immediately knew what I was describing . When you know what is happening and that it's not always dangerous it alleviates some of the fear.

The worst thing about AF the first time you have it you're sure that you're going to die and although sometimes very difficult to deal with you start to understand it and after a period of time the anxiety does get slightly less.